Yes, I would think they would be more lenient on someone who was driving accompanied by the person insured for the vehicle, a couple of miles from their house in the middle of the night. Unlike someone who was found driving in the middle of a city, during the rush hour, on their way to work (implying it's a regular occurrence) and who also had previous convictions for similar offences.
Stupid Mistake!!
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Yes, I would think they would be more lenient on someone who was driving accompanied by the person insured for the vehicle, a couple of miles from their house in the middle of the night. Unlike someone who was found driving in the middle of a city, during the rush hour, on their way to work (implying it's a regular occurrence) and who also had previous convictions for similar offences.
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We're going a bit off topic here. A special is a volunteer Police Officer.
So you don't think the OP letting his GF have a quick drive in his car along a deserted back road at 1am and both him and his girlfriend getting a £200 fine + 6 points (meaning he has to retake his practical and theory test and her having to retake her theory test) is harsh? Not to mention the astronomical hike in insurance premiums for them both.
Sure it was a silly thing to do, and it's against the law, but the amount of utter scum that drive around day after day for years uninsured/unlicenced/untaxed is amazing - and they get the exact same punishment!
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I wouldn't say it was harsh. What may have seemed a trivial thing at the time can have had catastrophic consequences. If anything I think they are both lucky this situation wasn't much, much worse.
Not really - the number of times I find myself mixing it with clueless learners on estates is surprising. Regular car drivers - with a bit of roadcraft - are bad enough around trucks......
That said, I have used ,recently, a closed (and on private land) industrial estate to try to get my 14year old to learn the basics.
I checked it was not open, got permission from security, and the estate was gated off the public highway.
Many estates are not, and this is where the OP has slipped up.
Absolutely.
Are you one of those coppers who likes to knock on the cab (with curtains drawn) to ask the bleary eyed driver "What are you doing?"
I've had this more than once, they seem put out by my usual reply of "Tyring to sleep - **** off!"
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What's the much much worse scenario, just curious?
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Man of Honour
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Surely you can imagine? A quiet back road (I would assume NSL) at night with a novice driver? That would not be a pretty picture.
The OP wasn't on an industrial estate
Oh my bad, I took it he was.
Let's not overreact too much.
I'm assuming she wasn't doing 60mph and hacking it around corners. From the way i read the OP i assumed she was have a quick go in his car at low speeds?
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It's not an overreaction. I see the aftermath of young,inexperienced drivers planting themselves into immovable objects all the time. I've not seen a fatal first hand yet, but it's only a matter of time. Even without injuries, he's lucky the car wasn't stacked, even if it's not directly the driver's fault (conditions, other traffic etc).
I have no doubt that you do. However i am guessing that they are predominantly young males, driving too quickly and/or showing off, rather than a guy letting his GF have a 2 minute go in his car at low speeds at 1am.
And...really? “He’s lucky the car wasn’t stacked” because a learner driver (who is about to take her test) was in the driver’s seat? That’s odd, because tens of thousands of people go out with parents/siblings when they are learning and the vast majority have no ill consequences? Perhaps they’re all just lucky? That’s what i was talking about when i was saying you were overreacting.
You mention the conditions – it was 1am and the OP said that there was no traffic around, which i can believe and i’m assuming the road wasn’t covered in ice and snow.
Now, just to reiterate, i’m not saying the OP’s actions were right or that he should have been let off – i was simply saying he was unfortunate and it’s a bit of a bummer. Realistically though, it doesn't sound dangerous at all.
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Just to pick up on this point, sentencing guidelines are 6-8 points and a fine. You could get a discretionary ban or a ban due to totting up but not points & a ban.
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